Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout by Sankt Gallen

February 15, 2018

Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout is a 6.5% spiced beer from Sankt Gallen, based in Kanagawa, Japan. It’s part of their 2018 Valentine’s effort and is brewed using 100kgs of fresh apricot kernels, known as “annin” in Japanese. Sometimes annin is also translated into English as “almond”. This beer is designed around annin dofu, a Chinese dessert made with annin and sweet tofu.

Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout Aroma and Taste

Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout poured out a thick black colour with a tan head, composed of large bubbles. The aroma coming off of it was similar to marzipan – and I hate marzipan. There was some chocolate and coffee notes that came through once Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout had warmed up but boy, that marzipan aroma did not let up at all.

The body had a slight twinge of bitterness to it, but the marzipan got in the way again. The chocolate flavour had a peculiar bitterness to it, as well as some hints of coffee, but there was a peculiar medicinal kick to it. It made my head throb a bit to be honest. Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout lingered on the palate with the, you guessed it, marzipan flavours, until some of the stickiness from the beer had dissipated away.

Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout The Bottom Line

Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout is a peculiar beer – I hate marzipan and almonds so I wasn’t going to like this. But it’s not a bad beer. Just needs less marzipan.

Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout Second Opinion By Joe Robson

Needs more marzipan! I love marzipan and almonds. My nickname at home is “Cake Boy”. The annin was quite subtle until it warmed up, and then it came on in waves alternating with the bitter chocolate. Unlike marzipan it isn’t cloyingly sweet. I suppose if you’re sensitive to it then you’re not going to enjoy it, but I really liked this beer.

Where to Buy Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout

Sankt Gallen Annin Chocolate Stout can be bought online at the following places